William Haswell Stephenson

Sir William Haswell Stephenson (15 May 1836 – 7 May 1918) was a British industrialist, politician and philanthropist who repeatedly served as the Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne. with his wife and two daughters. Stephenson was born in the same house, prior to its expansion in c. 1850 and renaming to Throckley Hall, as it continues to stand to this day.

The manor house Throckley Hall has been preserved and remains a private residence along with the associated land.

Career, public office and philanthropy

Stephenson was involved in his family's business, the Throckley Coal Company, and later in other local businesses including John Spencer and sons, steel manufacturers,

Together with his wife he endowed several early public libraries in Newcastle. In 1896 the Stephenson Library at Elswick was the first branch library in the city, built at a cost of £4,000. It became West End Leisure and Learning in 1984, later a housing office, and then West End Woman and Girls Centre.

In June 2024, Stephenson was honored with the installation of an official Commemorative Plaque, placed at the outer gates of the Throckley Hall private estate. Unveiled in a ceremony by Cllr Rob Higgins, the current Lord Mayor of Newcastle Upon Tyne, at the time, and K Blackhall, the owner of Throckley Hall and the private estate.